1993 AMT Corvette ZR-1

[Spottedlaurel]

AMT 1993 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

This donated its engine to the '67 Impala I'm currently building. Out of curiosity I trial-fitted the bodyshell, interior, glass and chassis and it went together nicely, so I thought I may as well do a quick, simple curbside build with the bonnet left closed rather than put it back in the box and forget about it.

1:25 AMT Corvette ZR-1 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

This Cayman Blue colour is more of a dark turquoise used on European Fords of the 1990s, so should look period correct on the Corvette. The BBS-RSII wheels by Aoshima were my first thought, I think they'll look good but I haven't yet made up my mind....

1:25 AMT Corvette ZR-1 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

These two alternatives are also by Aoshima, curiously-named "Lick Mag" wheels in the centre which I think are a bit too angular and I would rather keep for something a bit older, and Rays Volk C-Europe on the left which are my preference at the moment (unless I find something else). Whatever I use will have wider rear tyres, as per the originals.

1:25 AMT Corvette ZR-1 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

It needs some clearcoat but I'm happy with it so far. I doubt there'll be many updates, I'm hoping it will come together quickly and can make its way into the display cabinet without any hassle.

Edited January 4, 2021 by Spottedlaurel

[beeRS]

Looks good, and a great way to use up a donor kit. I remember having a Caymen blue Ford Mondeo company car mid 90s. Lovely colour!

Any of those wheel/tyre combos would work well on the ZR1. 

Edited January 5, 2021 by beeRS

[matthijsgrit]

Got you these 2 pics to get a better idea of the wheels.

I'd choose the BBS wheels, but that's just my taste. I think the others are too bland.

 

 

[Spottedlaurel]

On 1/5/2021 at 7:01 AM, beeRS said:

Looks good, and a great way to use up a donor kit. I remember having a Caymen blue Ford Mondeo company car mid 90s. Lovely colour!

Any of those wheel/tyre combos would work well on the ZR1. 

Thanks Sonny. It's making for an undemanding but satisfying build.

I recall the colour, but I don't remember the name (not like I do the late '70s Ford colours, from intense studying of Ford brochures when I was young).

On 1/6/2021 at 10:18 AM, matthijsgrit said:

Got you these 2 pics to get a better idea of the wheels.

I'd choose the BBS wheels, but that's just my taste. I think the others are too bland.

Excellent inspiration, thanks Matthijs. The Corvette is sitting perfectly on those BBS wheels, and I think you're right it would look better on them. But, I have other projects that I'd like to use them for so I'm going for the Volks.

As I wanted something relatively easy to put together I've been concentrating on this build over the last couple of weekends, this is where I'm at now:

1:25 AMT Corvette ZR-1 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

1:25 AMT Corvette ZR-1 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Clearcoat fresh out of the can. As I'd used a Halfords automotive paint I stuck with their topcoat. Has since polished up nicely.

1:25 AMT Corvette ZR-1 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

1:25 AMT Corvette ZR-1 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Crude mock-up. I'll pay attention to the wheel position in the arch, the rear certainly isn't right and the front end needs to be a touch lower.

1:25 AMT Corvette ZR-1 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Straightforward interior, in a dull '90s colour scheme. I haven't followed the instructions or looked at any reference shots, I just painted what looked right to me for what's only meant to be a cabinet display piece. Might do a little more detailing and cleaning-up (those mould marks at the back might be visible through the tailgate?).

1:25 AMT Corvette ZR-1 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Wheel installation is taking a bit of work, but I quite enjoy this stage. The wheels are by Aoshima, but I've used them with staggered Fujimi tyres. The inner part of the rim was cut back to suit the AMT backing plate, although I may not end up using them. I don't think the kit came with any brake discs (as you can tell, I'm not paying a lot of attention to the instructions, and some of the sprues are in the Impala box) so I've used front dics with Brembo calipers by Fujimi, and for the back end I've got the front discs from a Tamiya Nissan Silvia - maybe a touch small, but better than nothing. Once the discs are fitted inside the wheel I can see what mounting arrangement works best - I might glue the AMT centre piece direct onto the back of the wheels and lose the backing plate.

1:25 AMT Corvette ZR-1 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

With one or two pieces still in the box, this is where I'm at now. Might just be able to finish it today (the weather isn't looking great for the outdoor job I had in mind) if not it'll be an easy completion next weekend.

Edited January 24, 2021 by Spottedlaurel

[Spottedlaurel]

Last WIP update, as this one is now pretty much finished. As we have some sunshine I'll get some outdoor shots and put it Under Glass later.

1:25 AMT Corvette ZR-1 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Because I'd used different wheels it was difficult to accurately trial-fit them. However, it felt like it need to go lower and I couldn't see an easy way to do with the Corvette's suspension set-up (and this was just meant to be a quick, simple build), so I cheated by attaching the kit-supplied pieces off-centre. Crude, but it worked. I also had to space the rear wheels out slightly.

1:25 AMT 1993 Corvette ZR-1 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

1:25 AMT 1993 Corvette ZR-1 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

I'm calling it done.

Edited January 31, 2021 by Spottedlaurel

[slusher]

Looks great, love the color choice..

[Rockford]

Good use of "leftovers", looks great! 

[TransAmMike]

Looks great Nigel, but a Ford color on a Vette????       Just messin with you??

[Spottedlaurel]

10 hours ago, slusher said:

Looks great, love the color choice..

 

8 hours ago, Rockford said:

Good use of "leftovers", looks great! 

 

4 hours ago, TransAmMike said:

Looks great Nigel, but a Ford color on a Vette????       Just messin with you??

Thanks all! And yes Mike, heresy I know but it was cheap on clearance and I knew it would look correct for the period ? I don't see too many of them at 1:1.....

Have now added some outdoor photos "Under Glass".